The Chief's Summary:

What better place to have held our first ever International Clan Gathering outside of Scotland than in Carnlough, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The event took place in the Londonderry Arms Hotel and was superbly organised and hosted by our Clan Commissioner for Northern Ireland Laurence McAuley. The welcome we received from our Irish clansfolk and local people alike was overwhelming. This was our most successful and best attended clan gathering ever, with over one hundred participating in the action packed weekend.We welcomed 35 clansfolk from overseas as well as many MacAulays from NI. Among some notable MacAulays who attended, included local boxing hero Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley, Emmy award winning composer and record producer Matthew McCauley from Canada and local author Tony Macaulay. We all enjoyed the great company and the superb programme which was laid on for us. The folk singing sessions, the sightseeing trip to the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the Layde cemetery were all highlights of the weekend as was our Banquet and the fine entertainment which followed. For those of us who attended the AGM we were enthralled to listen to the guest speaker Hector McDonnell a local historian who gave an insight into how the MacAulays settled in County Antrim. The weekend was completed with a most enjoyable ceilidh on the Saturday evening which included a group of young Irish dancers who deservedly stole the show. Thanks and appreciation must go to our Clan Commissioner for Northern Ireland Laurence McAuley for organising this event and I know he was ably assisted by his good lady Karen Montgomery. I would also like to thank all our clansfolk for their support and for creating the fantastic atmosphere which was evident throughout. This was us at our best. Welcoming each other, sharing our values, traditions, history and heritage. Bringing our people together. Hector MacAulay Chief Clan MacAulay Association